Unemployment Rate in Zambia decreased to 12 percent in 2023 from 12.60 percent in 2022. This dataset provides - Zambia Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The unemployment rate in Zambia saw no significant changes in 2024 in comparison to the previous year 2023 and remained at around 5.96 percent. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population currently without work but in search of employment. The unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed, children, or retirees.Find more key insights for the unemployment rate in countries like Djibouti and Malawi.

Key information about Zambia Unemployment Rate

• Zambia Unemployment Rate increased to 12.60% in Dec 2022, from the previously reported figure of 12.50% in Dec 2021.
• Zambia Unemployment Rate is updated yearly, available from Dec 1991 to Dec 2022, with an average rate of 13.19%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 19.70% in Dec 1993 and a record low of 7.40% in Dec 2014.
• The data is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, Zambia Population reached 18.40 million people in Dec 2021.

In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Zambia remained nearly unchanged at around 9.89 percent. The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population aged 15 to 24 currently without work but in search of employment. The youth unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more key insights for the youth unemployment rate in countries like Mozambique and Tanzania.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Zambia (SLUEM1524ZSZMB) from 1991 to 2024 about Zambia, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Zambia was reported at 5.961 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Zambia Unemployment Rate: Rural: 20-24 data was reported at 8.600 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.800 % for 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: Rural: 20-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 7.200 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.600 % in 2014 and a record low of 5.800 % in 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: Rural: 20-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G020: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type.

Zambia unemployment rate for 2024 was 5.96%, a 0.06% increase from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Zambia unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>5.91%</strong>, a <strong>0.09% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Zambia unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>6.00%</strong>, a <strong>0.8% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Zambia unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>5.20%</strong>, a <strong>0.83% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 6.037 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, female (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Zambia Unemployment Rate: 15-19 data was reported at 17.100 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.300 % for 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 15-19 data is updated yearly, averaging 14.700 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.100 % in 2014 and a record low of 12.300 % in 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 15-19 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G020: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type.

Zambia Unemployment Rate: Urban: 20-24 data was reported at 20.000 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 25.800 % for 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: Urban: 20-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 22.900 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.800 % in 2012 and a record low of 20.000 % in 2014. Zambia Unemployment Rate: Urban: 20-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G020: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 10.01 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Zambia youth unemployment rate for 2024 was 9.89%, a 0.14% increase from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Zambia youth unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>9.75%</strong>, a <strong>0.1% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Zambia youth unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>9.85%</strong>, a <strong>0.48% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Zambia youth unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>9.37%</strong>, a <strong>1.68% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 9.752 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Zambia Unemployment Rate: Male: 55-59 data was reported at 0.400 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.700 % for 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: Male: 55-59 data is updated yearly, averaging 3.050 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in 2012 and a record low of 0.400 % in 2014. Zambia Unemployment Rate: Male: 55-59 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G020: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type.

Zambia Unemployment Rate: 15 and Above data was reported at 7.400 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.800 % for 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 7.600 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.800 % in 2012 and a record low of 7.400 % in 2014. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G028: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type: Old Methodology. Changed to new methodology Replacement series ID: 412746337

Zambia Unemployment Rate: 65-69 data was reported at 0.400 % in 2014. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 65-69 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.400 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2014, with 1 observations. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 65-69 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G020: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type.

zambia - Youth Unemployment Rate for Zambia was 9.89% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, zambia - Youth Unemployment Rate for Zambia reached a record high of 11.04 in January of 2020 and a record low of 9.37 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for zambia - Youth Unemployment Rate for Zambia - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Zambia Unemployment Rate: 50-54 data was reported at 1.700 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.700 % for 2012. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 50-54 data is updated yearly, averaging 2.700 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.700 % in 2012 and a record low of 1.700 % in 2014. Zambia Unemployment Rate: 50-54 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G020: Unemployment Rate by Age Group, Gender and Settlement Type.

This scatter chart displays unemployment (% of total labor force) against fertility rate (births per woman) in Zambia. The data is about countries per year.